Terminal provided with networking module and method for receiving and transmitting data using the same

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for receiving data includes receiving, via a communication unit of a terminal, at least one of displayable data and soundable data from an external device, wherein the external device includes at least one of a touch-sensitive unit, a first displaying unit and a first speaker, wherein the communication unit connects to the Internet and includes at least one of a cabled communication unit and a wireless communication unit, and wherein the displayable data is displayed on the first displaying unit of the external device, and the soundable data is outputted through the first speaker of the external device, and outputting signals associated with the received at least one of displayable data and soundable data to a connectable output unit, wherein the connectable output unit includes at least one of a second speaker and a second displaying unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.13/112,607 filed on May 20, 2011, which is a Continuation of applicationSer. No. 12/343,179 filed on Dec. 23, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,560,656issued Nov. 15, 2013, which claims priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2007-0136752 filed on Dec. 24, 2007. The entire contents of allof the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a terminal provided with a networkingmodule for sharing data with a counter terminal connected to theterminal and a method for receiving and transmitting data between twoterminals using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently personal computers are spread broadly and the number of userswhich have both desktop computers and laptop computers or which havemore than one personal computer is being increased. Accordingly, theneed to move data from a computer to another computer is growing.

In order to move data from a computer to another computer, users usuallymove desired data from a computer to an external storage device, andthen move the data one more time from the external storage device toanother computer.

In another way, users use a separate adapting device connected betweentwo computers in order to move data between two computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal and amethod being able to connect two terminals and to move data between thetwo terminals without separate storage devices or adapting devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a terminal anda method being able to connect two terminals directly and to move databetween the two terminals in which the process for moving data issimplified so that users can move data conveniently.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the objectof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, thepresent invention provides in one aspect a terminal comprising aconnection port configured to connect the terminal to a counterterminal, a networking module configured to receive and transmit datathrough the connection port connected with the counter terminal, and acontrol unit configured to command the networking module to receive andtransmit data by running an interfacing program.

Here, the networking module may comprise a controller configured tocontrol data reception and transmission between the terminal and thecounter terminal, and a storage unit configured to store the interfacingprogram and a device driver for the networking module.

In this case, the networking module may be activated by power suppliedthrough the connection port from the counter terminal.

The networking module may be configured to install the interfacingprogram and the device driver for the networking module on both theterminal and the counter terminal.

In addition, the interfacing program may be run by detecting aconnection between the terminal and the counter terminal.

Further, the interfacing program may provide a user interface whichallows users to set storage areas of the terminal, storage areas of thecounter terminal and transmitting directions to receive or transmitdata, and receives or transmits data from or to the counter terminalaccording to user settings set by the user interface.

Moreover the interfacing program may include an uninstall program foruninstalling the interfacing program and the device driver for thenetworking module on the counter terminal, if disconnection between theterminal and the counter terminal is detected.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for receivingand transmitting data in a network in which at least two terminalsconnected to each other receive and transmit data, the methodcomprising, (A) connecting a terminal provided with a networking moduleto a counter terminal through the networking module, (B) activating thenetworking module provided in the terminal, (C) running an interfacingprogram on the terminal and the counter terminal, and (D) receiving ortransmitting data between the terminal and the counter terminalaccording to the interfacing program.

Here, the step (B) may comprise (B1) providing driving power to thenetworking module, and (B2) installing a device driver for thenetworking module on the terminal and the counter terminal.

The method may further comprise (E) installing the interfacing programon the terminal and the counter terminal, if the networking module isactivated in the step (B).

Here, the step (B1) may be conducted by turning on an internal powerswitch connected to the networking module by power provided from thecounter terminal.

Also, the step (E) is automatically conducted at the same time withactivating the networking module.

In addition, the method may further comprise (F) setting at least one ofstorage areas of the terminal, storage areas of the counter terminal andtransmitting directions to receive or transmit data through theinterfacing program.

Furthermore, the method may further comprise (G) detecting disconnectionbetween the terminal and the counter terminal, and (H) uninstalling atleast one of the device driver for the networking module and theinterfacing program installed in the step (B2) or the step (E), if thedisconnection is detected.

Moreover, the step (F) may comprise (F1) selecting storage areas toreceive or transmit data in each of the terminal and the counterterminal, (F2) displaying storage areas of each of the terminal and thecounter terminal, selected in step (F1) on each other, and (F3)selecting a storage area from displayed storage areas in each of theterminal and the counter terminal.

The step (F1) may further comprise a step of setting data receiving ortransmitting level of the selected storage area.

Besides, the step (F1) may further comprise a step of certify anauthority to allow data receiving or transmitting from or to theselected storage area.

Meanwhile, the method may further comprise (I) changing Internet-sharingenvironment of each operating system of the terminal and the counterterminal according to predetermined criteria, if the networking moduleis activated, and (J) connecting the terminal to the Internet accordingto the Internet-sharing environment changed in the step (I).

Here, the method may further comprise (K) changing back theInternet-sharing environment of each operating system of the terminaland the counter terminal, changed in step (I), if disconnection betweenthe terminal and the counter terminal is detected.

Moreover, the method may further comprise (L) blocking power supply tothe terminal and the counter terminal by means of operating systems ofthe terminal and the counter terminal if connection between the terminaland the counter terminal is detected in the step (A).

Also, the method may further comprise (M) resuming the terminal or thecounter terminal from a power saving mode if the terminal or the counterterminal is in the power saving state when the terminal is connected tothe counter terminal in the step (A).

Here, the method may further comprise (N) allowing to transmit datainputted by an input device of one of the terminal and the counterterminal to the other, and (O) transmitting data inputted by the inputdevice of one of the terminal and the counter terminal to the other.

The method may further comprise (P) setting an input device of theterminal as an input device for the counter terminal, (Q) transmittingdata inputted by the input device set as an input device for the counterterminal to the counter terminal, (R) cancelling the setting in thecounter terminal, and (S) processing the data inputted by the inputdevice and transmitted to the counter terminal.

Further, the method may comprise (N′) allowing to display output datagenerated in one of the terminal and the counter terminal on a displaydevice of the other, and (O′) transmitting output data generated in oneof the terminal and the counter terminal to the other.

The method may further comprise (P′) setting to display output datagenerated in the counter terminal on a display device of the terminal inthe terminal, (Q′) transmitting the output data to the terminal, (R′)cancelling the setting in the counter terminal, and (S′) displayingoutput data generated in the terminal on the display device of theterminal.

As described above in detail, in the terminal provided with a networkingmodule and a method for receiving and transmitting data, the followingadvantages can be expected.

That is, it is advantageous in that users can move data between twoterminals without any external storage devices or adaptors.

Furthermore, in the terminal provided with a networking module and amethod for receiving and transmitting data, it is advantageous in thatusers can move data conveniently.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method forreceiving data includes receiving, via a communication unit of aterminal, at least one of displayable data and soundable data from anexternal device, wherein the external device includes at least one of atouch-sensitive unit, a first displaying unit and a first speaker,wherein the communication unit connects to the Internet and includes atleast one of a cabled communication unit and a wireless communicationunit, and wherein the displayable data is displayed on the firstdisplaying unit of the external device, and the soundable data isoutputted through the first speaker of the external device, andoutputting signals associated with the received at least one of thedisplayable data and the soundable data to a connectable output unit,wherein the connectable output unit includes at least one of a secondspeaker and a second displaying unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device includes acommunication unit for connecting the internet, the communication unitincluding at least one of a cabled communication unit and a wirelesscommunication unit, and a controller cooperating with the communicationunit and configured to receive, via the communication unit, at least oneof displayable data and soundable data from an external device, processthe said at least one of the displayable data and the soundable data,and output, to a connectable output unit, signals resulting fromprocessing the at least one of the displayable data and the soundabledata, wherein the external device includes at least one of atouch-sensitive unit, a first displaying unit and a first speaker,wherein the displayable data is displayed on the first display unit andthe soundable data is outputted through the first speaker, and whereinthe connectable output unit includes at least one of a second speakerand a second displaying unit.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminalprovided with a networking module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention and a counter terminal connected to the terminal;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of power supplier ofthe networking module according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a screen for setting data sharing withanother terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving and transmittingdata between two terminals according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving and transmittingdata between two terminals according to another embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving and transmittingdata between two terminals according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of theclaims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

Hereinafter, a terminal provided with a networking module according toan embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminalprovided with a networking module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention and a counter terminal connected to the terminal, FIG.2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of power supplier of thenetworking module according to an embodiment of the present invention,and FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a screen for setting data sharingwith another terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a connection port 10 for connecting withanother terminal Hereinafter, another terminal connected with theterminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will bereferred to as ‘a counter terminal 200’.

Here, the terminal 100 is a data processing apparatus such as a desktopcomputer or a portable computer. And the counter terminal 200 is alsoone of various data processing apparatuses, or an electronic apparatusincluding storage devices.

The connection port 10 is a connecting means supporting a communicationprotocol allowing the terminal 100 to exchange data with anotherterminal. In particular, the connection port may be an USB (UniversalSerial Bus) port broadly used in connection with peripherals.

In addition, a data cable 300 is inserted into the connection port 10 ofthe terminal 100. One end of the data cable 300 is inserted into theconnection port 10 of the terminal 100 and the other end of the datacable 300 is inserted into a connection port 15 of the counter terminal200, whereby the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 is connectedphysically and electrically.

This is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and the twoterminals may be connected without the data cable 300, if a wirelesscommunicating module supporting the same kind of communication protocolis installed on each of the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200.

For example, in a case where a wireless communicating module supportinga communication protocol such as infrared data communication, Zigbee,Bluetooth, or UWB (Ultra Wide-Band) specification is installed on eachof the two terminals, the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 canbe connected by wireless networking through several steps such as devicerecognition and selection.

In the meantime, the terminal 100 comprises a networking module 20. Thenetworking module 20 receives and/or transmits data from and/or to thecounter terminal 200 connected to the terminal 100 through the datacable 300.

The networking module 20 exchanges data stored in a storage device(including local disk and removable disk) provided in the terminal 100,or stored in a storage area such as a folder or a file of the terminal100 with data stored in a storage device provided in the counterterminal 200 or in a storage area of the counter terminal 200, accordingto user settings or commands.

To perform this, the networking module 20 comprises a controller 20 aand a storage unit 20 b. The controller 20 a is a control means toreceive and/or transmit data inputting and/or outputting between theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 through the data cable 300.

Here, the storage unit 20 b is a nonvolatile memory means such as aflash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), M-RAM (Magnetic Random AccessMemory), P-RAM (Phase-change Random Access Memory), and Fe-RAM(Ferroelectric Random Access Memory). The storage unit 20 b stores adevice driver which is a program routine by which each operating systemof the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 recognizes thenetworking module 20 as a device and communicates with the networkingmodule 20.

In addition, the controller 20 a installs the device driver stored inthe storage unit 20 b on both the terminal 100 and the counter terminal200, if a connection of the data cable 300 connected with the counterterminal 200 into the connection port 10 of the terminal 100 isdetected.

Moreover, the storage unit 20 b may store an interfacing program as anapplication program which allows the terminal 100 and the counterterminal to exchange data with each other through the networking module20.

Also, the controller 20 a may install the interfacing program on the twoterminals after a connection between the two terminals is detected andthe device driver is installed on the two terminals.

On this occasion, the controller 20 a may skip installations of thedevice driver and/or the interfacing program if the device driver and/orthe interfacing program are already installed.

In addition, the controller 20 a installs the device driver and/or theinterfacing program automatically or on command of users.

After installation of the device driver and the interfacing program, theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 runs the interfacing program.The interfacing program is also run automatically or on command ofusers.

The interfacing program is run by a control unit 30 of the terminal 100.The control unit 30 is a control means executing the operating system ofthe terminal 100. The control unit 30 may be a central processing unitof the terminal 100.

The control unit 30 accesses to the storage unit 20 b or loads theinterfacing program stored in the storage unit 20 b to a RAM 60 and runsthe interfacing program. Then, the control unit 30 executes receivingand transmitting data with the counter terminal 200 through thecontroller 20 a.

Meanwhile, in the counter terminal 200, a control unit 25 of the counterterminal 200 runs the interfacing program. The control unit 25 storesthe interfacing program in a HDD (Hard disk drive) 35, or a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 55 and runs the interfacing program.

Here, the interfacing program is run on the operating systems of theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200, and at this time, the devicedriver is used.

The interfacing program provides a user interface for selecting storagedevices, storage areas, data transmitting directions, or datatransmitting policies (or data-synchronization policies) in order tomove data between the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200.

That is, the terminal 100 may comprise a plurality of storage devices,for example the HDD 40 and an ODD (optical disk drive) 50, as shown inFIG. 1.

Meanwhile, the counter terminal 200 may also comprise a plurality ofstorage devices, for example the HDD 35 and an ODD 45, as shown in FIG.1.

The interfacing program may provide lists of storage devices or storageareas of one of the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 to theother.

As above, users can select one of storage devices, storage areas such asfolders or files, which users desire to transmit, in the user interfaceprovided by the interfacing program.

The interfacing program recognizes a plurality of the storage devices ofthe terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200, and provides lists ofthem to the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200. Then users canselect a storage device or a storage area which stores data to betransmitted, and a storage device of a storage area which is to storethe data transmitted.

For example, if a user selects the HDD 40 of the terminal 100 and theHDD 35 of the counter terminal 200 through the interfacing program, thenetworking module 20 receives and transmits the data selected from datastored in the two HDD 35 and 40.

If a user commands to synchronize the ODD 50 of the terminal 100 with acertain folder in the HDD 35 of the counter terminal 200, data in theODD 50 and data in the folder of the HDD 35 are synchronized.

In the above, the transmitting direction or the synchronizationdirection may be selected by users through the interfacing program.

That is, users can select a certain data through the interfacingprogram, and transmit the data between the two terminals 100 and 200 bya selected direction. Here, users can input commands and selectionsthrough one of the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200.

Also, data stored in the terminal 100 can be transmit to the counterterminal 200, and data stored in the counter terminal 200 can betransmit to the terminal 100.

Furthermore, data stored in a storage device or a storage area of theterminal 100 and data stored in a storage device or a storage area ofthe counter terminal 200 can be synchronized.

That is, if a user commands synchronization between the HDD 40 of theterminal 100 and the HDD 35 of the counter terminal 200 on the userinterface provided by the interfacing program, data stored in the HDD 40of the terminal 100 and data stored in the HDD 35 of the counterterminal 200 become synchronized to each other.

On this occasion, users can select synchronization direction. That is,data of the HDD 35 of the counter terminal 200 is replaced with the datastored in the HDD 40 of the terminal 100 or data of the HDD 40 of theterminal 100 is replaced with the data stored in the HDD 35 of thecounter terminal 200.

Also, data stored in the HDD 35 of the counter terminal 200 but notstored in the HDD 40 of the terminal 100 may be moved to the HDD 40 ofthe terminal 100. Likewise, data stored in the HDD 40 of the counterterminal 100 but not stored in the HDD 35 of the terminal 200 may bemoved to the HDD 35 of the terminal 200.

In addition, as described above, users can select storage devices orstorage areas for data-synchronization through the user interfaceprovided by the interfacing program.

That is, users may select a folder from each of the two terminals 100and 200, and synchronize the selected two folders.

In detail, first of all, storage devices and storage areas of theterminal 100 are displayed in the terminal 100 in order for users toselect storage devices and storage areas to be permitted to share. Thenusers may select at least one storage device or area in which data ispermitted to share.

After then, a list of the selected storage devices or areas is displayedon the counter terminal 200.

Likewise, in the counter terminal 200, storage devices and storage areasof the counter terminal 200 are displayed in the terminal 200 in orderfor users to select storage devices and storage areas permitted to beshared. Then users may select at least one storage device or area inwhich data is permitted to be shared.

A list of the selected storage devices or areas of the counter terminal200 is displayed on the terminal 100.

Here, the interfacing program allows users to set a receiving andtransmitting level on each of the storage devices and areas selected tobe shared.

That is, in a case where a user selects a certain folder of the terminal100 and permits to share data in the selected folder with the counterterminal 200, it may be selected whether the data in the folder can beonly read or can be both read and edited through the counter terminal200.

Likewise, in a case where data stored in the ODD 45 of the counterterminal 200 is permitted to be shared with the terminal 100, users canset the data in the ODD 45 to be able to only be displayed on theterminal 100.

In this case, in permitting to transmit data in the terminal 100 or thecounter terminal 200, a process to certify an authority to allow datatransmitting may be done.

For example, the interfacing program requires users to input a passwordin the process to allowing data receiving or transmitting. And only whena password inputted corresponds to a predetermined password, data istransmitted.

Meanwhile, on the list of the storage devices and areas of the counterterminal 200, permitted to be share data with the terminal 100, whereinthe list is displayed on the terminal 100, users can select at least oneof the storage devices and areas to which data stored in the terminal100 is transmitted, or from which data transmitted to the terminal 100.

For example, if it is tried to transmit data stored in the terminal 100to a folder of the counter terminal 200, a name or an icon of a file ora folder to be transmitted is selected and dragged-and-dropt to one ofnames or icons representing storage devices or areas of the counterterminal 200 in the terminal 100, whereby the file or the folder istransmitted to a storage device or area of the counter terminal 200.

Furthermore, if a user selects data to be transmitted to the counterterminal 200 in the terminal 100 and commends to transmit, theinterfacing program provides user interface for selecting one of storagedevices or areas of the counter terminal 200 permitted to be shared, tothe terminal 100 and then a user selects one of storage devices or areasso that the data selected to be transmitted is transmitted to the one ofstorage devices or areas of the counter terminal 200.

Likewise, if a user selects data to be transmitted to the terminal 100in the counter terminal 200 and commends to transmit, the interfacingprogram provides user interface for selecting one of storage devices orareas of the terminal 100 permitted to be shared, to the counterterminal 200 and then a user selects one of storage devices or areas sothat the data selected to be transmitted is transmitted to the one ofstorage devices or areas of the terminal 100.

Also, in the terminal 100 or the counter terminal 200, users can choosea storage device or area of the terminal 100 and a storage device orarea of the counter terminal 200, and then command to synchronize dataof the two selected storage devices or areas.

For the purpose of making it easier to select storage devices or areasand to transmit or synchronize data, the terminal 100 and the counterterminal 200 may access to storage areas of each other through Windowexplorer (or window browser) on the operation system based on Window ofMicrosoft and read or write data of the storage areas.

To transmit or synchronize data, each of control units 30 and 25 of theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 runs the interfacing programand then the control unit 30 of the terminal 100 allows the controller20 a of the networking module 20 to input and/or output data. Afterthen, the controller 20 a moves data through the data cable 300.

The interfacing program displays the progress and the completion of datatransmission through each display unit of each of the two terminals 100and 200 while moving data between the two terminals.

Then, if the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 are disconnectedfrom each other, the interfacing program run by the counter terminal 200may uninstall itself and the device driver.

That is, if the data cable 300 is disconnected from the connection port10 or 15, the control unit 25 of the counter terminal 200 detects thisand then uninstalls the interfacing program and the device driver.

Here, the uninstallation is performed by an uninstall program includedin the interfacing program.

However, in a case where the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200are connected to each other by wireless way, the communication betweenthe terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 is disconnected by adisconnecting condition such as a user command, the passage of time andthe completion of data transmission and the terminal 100 and the counterterminal 200 detect this.

In addition, if the counter terminal 200 is also a terminal providedwith a networking module, such as the terminal 100 according to thepresent invention, the uninstallation process may be skipped.

Further, the interfacing program and the device driver for thenetworking module may be uninstalled also in the terminal 100, whereinthe interfacing program and the device driver are uninstalled only onthe RAM 60 and the HDD 40, not on the storage unit 20 b of thenetworking module.

In the meantime, the terminal 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is connected to Internet through an Internet module 65of the counter terminal 200.

A function to change the Internet sharing environment of the terminal100 and the counter terminal 200 is provided by a program included inthe interfacing program or another program.

That is, the interfacing program or the another program is automaticallyinstalled and run on the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 whenconnection between the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 isdetected and changes the Internet sharing environment.

The values changed will be described in detail later on with referenceto FIG. 6.

If values of the Internet sharing environment are changed, the terminal100 can be connected to the Internet through the Internet module 65 ofthe counter terminal 200.

Meanwhile, each control unit 30 or 25 of the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal 200 blocks the terminal 100 or the counter terminal 200to enter a power saving mode through the operating system whenconnection between the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 isdetected.

Since power must be supplied to storage devices such as the HDDs 40 and35 and the ODDs 50 and 45 in order to transmit data between the terminal100 and the counter terminal 200, the terminal 100 and the counterterminal 200 are prevented from entering the power saving mode whiletransmitting data.

If the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 are in the power savingmode when the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 are connected toeach other, the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 are resumedfrom the power saving mode.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal can share hardwares of each other, if the terminal 100and the counter terminal 200 are connected to each other.

This may be achieved by transmitting data to be input/output to/fromhardwares through the networking module provided in the terminal 100.

For example, if one of input devices of the terminal 100, such as amouse, a keyboard or a touch-pad, is permitted to be shared with thecounter terminal 200, signals input by the one of the input devices aretransmitted to the counter terminal 200 through the networking module,so that the one of the input devices of the terminal 100 may be used asan input device for the counter terminal 200.

In this case, the signals input by one of the input devices may betransmitted to both of the control units 30 and 25 of the two terminals100 and 200, and processed by the both of the control units 30 and 25.

But if one of input devices of the terminal 100 is permitted to be usedas an input device only for the counter terminal 200, signals input bythe one of the input devices may be transmitted only to the counterterminal 200.

Here, users may select whether to permit sharing one of the inputdevices of the terminal 100 with the counter terminal 200 on the userinterface provided by the interfacing program or on a user interfacebasically provided by the operating system of the terminal 100.

In addition, in a case where one of the input devices of 100 ispermitted to be shared with 200, as above, a user interface to stopsharing the one of the input devices may be provided in the counterterminal 200.

The user interface to stop sharing the input device may be provided bythe interfacing program or by the operating system of the counterterminal 200.

If an input device of the terminal 100 is permitted to be shared withthe counter terminal 200, the control unit 25 of the counter terminal200 detects this and provides the interface to stop sharing. When a usercommands to stop sharing through the interface to stop sharing the inputdevice, signals input by the input device are no longer transmitted tothe counter terminal 200. Then, the signals input by the input deviceare processed in the terminal 100.

These can be applicable in a case of permitting an input device of thecounter terminal 200 to be shared with the terminal 100.

As described above, in a case where an input device of one of the twoterminals 100 and 200 is permitted to be shared with the other, signalsfrom the input device may be transmitted to the other through thenetworking module 20, so that the two terminals 100 and 200 can sharetheir input devices.

As another example, if an output device such as a monitor or a speakerof the counter terminal 200 is permitted to be shared with the terminal100, signals to be output by the output device are transmitted from theterminal 100 to the counter terminal 200 through the networking module20, so that the output device of the counter terminal 200 may be used asan output device for the terminal 100.

Here, the same signals can be output by both the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal 200. To allow an output device of the counter terminal200 to be shared with the terminal 100, the interfacing program beingrun on the counter terminal 200 may provide a user interface by whichusers can select whether to permit an output device to be shared.

Also, the operating system of the counter terminal 200 may provide auser interface providing the same function.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the device manager basicallyprovided in the operating system to set hardware variables, a shortcutmenu shown up when a monitor icon is right-clicked includes a sharingitem, and a monitor corresponding to the monitor icon may be shared withanother terminal by clicking on the sharing item.

Furthermore, as described above, if an output device of the counterterminal 200 is permitted to be shared with the terminal 100, a userinterface to stop sharing the output device is provided in the terminal100.

The user interface to stop sharing the output device is provided by theinterfacing program being run on the terminal 100 or by the operatingsystem of the terminal 100.

When the output device is stopped from being shared, signals generatedby the counter terminal 200 are displayed on the output device.

In the meantime, a power supplier of the networking module of theterminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 1 includes a switch S connected across a power linethrough which internal power (voltage V1) is provided to the terminal100.

The internal power (voltage V1) source may be a battery or a regulatoror an adapter converting external AC power to DC power according to akind of the terminal and to power supplying states.

The switch may be a circuit element or device being able to controlelectric current based on control signals, such as a BJT (BipolarJunction Transistor) or a FET (Field Effect Transistor).

The internal power (voltage V1) is supplied to every element of theterminal 100 and also to the networking module 20. However, in a statewhere the terminal 100 is not connected to another terminal, such as thecounter terminal 200, the switch S is opened, so that the internal powermay be not supplied to the networking module 20 in order to reduce powerconsumption.

If a control signal is applied on the switch S, in other words, if anexternal power (voltage V2) is supplied to the switch S from the counterterminal 200 through the data cable 300, the switch S is shorted, sothat the internal power (voltage V1) is supplied to the networkingmodule 20. Accordingly, the networking module 20 is activated, and thendata transmission can be done.

Meanwhile, the external power (voltage V2) is applied on some pins of achip included in the controller 20 a, so that the controller 20 a maydetect whether the external power is input to the terminal 100.

After then, the counter terminal 200 is connected to the terminal 100and the internal power is provided to the networking module 20. Thus thecontroller 20 a detects the external power (voltage V2) and theninstalls the interfacing program and the device driver as describedabove.

Moreover, the control unit 30 of the terminal 100 may detects theexternal power supplied from the counter terminal 200 through the datacable 300, and the control unit 25 of the counter terminal 200 maydetects power supplied from the terminal 100 through the data cable 300,so that both of the control units 30 and 25 can detect connection anddisconnection of each other.

In this case, each control unit 30 or 25 of the two terminals 100 and200 runs the uninstall program included in the interfacing program sothat the interfacing program and the device driver may be uninstalled,if the data cable 300 is disconnected.

Whereas, even if the disconnection between the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal 200 is detected, the control unit 30 of the terminal100 may not run uninstall program not to uninstall the interfacingprogram and the device driver, in order to prevent the terminal 100 fromrepetitively re-installing the interfacing program and the devicedriver. In addition, if the counter terminal 200 is a terminal providedwith the networking module 20 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, such as the terminal 100, the control unit 25 of the counterterminal 200 may also not run the uninstall program.

Hereinafter, a method for receiving and transmitting data according toan embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving and transmittingdata between two terminals according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving andtransmitting data between two terminals according to another embodimentof the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a processof receiving and transmitting data between two terminals according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the method for receiving and transmitting dataaccording to an embodiment of the present invention starts with a stepof connecting the terminal 100 and the data cable 300 connected toanother terminal (hereinafter, a counter terminal 200) (S100).

In the step 100 (S100), the control unit 30 of the terminal 100 and thecontroller 20 a of the networking module 20 detect power providedthrough the data cable 300.

Here, if each of the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 includesa wireless communicating module supporting the same wirelesscommunication protocol, the step 100 may comprise a step of activatingeach of the wireless communicating module of the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal 200 and a step of connecting the each wirelesscommunicating module to a wireless network. Moreover, the step 100 maycomprise a step in which the terminal 100 recognizes the counterterminal 200 connected to the terminal 100 through the wireless network,and a step certifying an authority to connect the terminal 100 toanother terminal.

Then, the switch S connected across the power line through which theinternal power is supplied to the networking module 20 is turned on bythe external power (voltage V2) supplied from the counter terminal 200through the data cable 300, thus the internal power in supplied to thenetworking module 20 (S110).

The networking module 20, however, is not necessarily activated by theabove way. The terminal 100 may supply just standby power to thenetworking module 20 usually, and supply driving power to the networkingmodule 20 when connection with another terminal is being detected.

In the step 110 (S110), if the networking module 20 is activated, thecontroller 20 a provided in the networking module 20 installs theinterfacing program and the device driver stored in the storage unit 20b on the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 (S120).

At this time, the controller 20 a may install the interfacing programand the device driver automatically or on user command. In addition, thestep 120 (S120) may include a step of asking whether to install theinterfacing program and the device driver.

Here, if the interfacing program and the device driver have alreadyinstalled in the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200, the step 120can be skipped.

Then, if the installation of the interfacing program and the devicedriver is completed in the step 120, the control units 30 and 25 of theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 run the interfacing programusing the operating system (S130). Also, users can command to run theinterfacing program.

The interfacing program run in the step 130 (S130) may provide a userinterface in order to make it easier to transmit data. The userinterface provided by the interfacing program allows users to selectstorage areas of the terminal 100, storage areas of the counter terminal200, data-transmitting directions and data-transmitting policiesregarding data to be transmitted (S140).

In the user interface, a list of storage devices and areas of theterminal 100 is provided, so that users can select one of the storagedevices and areas on the list. In addition, in the user interfaceprovided in the counter terminal 200, a list of storage devices andareas of the counter terminal 200 is provided, so that users can chooseone of the storage devices and areas on the list.

Here, the selected storage devices and areas of one of the two terminals100 and 200 are permitted to be shared with the other. A list of theselected storage devices and areas of the terminal 100 is displayed onthe counter terminal 200, and a list of the selected storage devices andareas of the counter terminal 200 is displayed on the terminal 100.

Accordingly, users may select on the terminal 100 a storage device orarea of the counter terminal 200 in which data desired to be transferredto the terminal 100 is stored, and then select on the terminal 100 astorage device or area of the terminal 100 in which data transmittedfrom the counter terminal 200 is to be stored. Then users may input adata transmission, exchange or synchronization command.

According to the input command, data desired to be transferred istransferred from the counter terminal 200 to the terminal 100 (S150).

Likewise, if users want data to be transmitted from the terminal 100 tothe counter terminal 200, users may select on the counter terminal 200 astorage device or area of the terminal 100 in which data desired to betransferred to the counter terminal 200 is stored, and then input a datatransmission command.

Accordingly, the data desired to be transferred to the counter terminal200 is transferred (S150).

In the step 140 (S140), the data transmitting direction which may beselected on the user interface provided by the interfacing programrepresents whether to transmit data from the terminal 100 to the counterterminal 200 or from the counter terminal 200 to the terminal 100.

The data transmitting policy represents whether to transmit dataselected to be transmitted, or synchronize two storage areas of theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200. If data in a storage area ofthe terminal 100 and data in a storage area of the counter terminal 200is synchronized, the transmitting policy comprises on which one of thetwo storage areas the synchronization bases.

In the step 150 (S150), the control unit 30 of the terminal 100 and thecontrol unit of the counter terminal 200 communicates through thenetworking module 20, and the networking module 20 controls input/outputof data between the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200.

In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 5, a method for receiving andtransmitting data according to another embodiment of the presentinvention starts with detecting disconnection between the terminal andthe data cable 300 connected with another terminal, for example thecounter terminal 200 (S200).

The step 200 (S200) is conducted by detecting physical disconnectionbetween the connection port 10 and the data cable 300 or discontinuanceof power supply through the data cable 300.

In a case where the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 areconnected by wireless way, the step 200 is conducted by detectingdisconnection of wireless communication. Then, if the disconnectionbetween the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 is detected, eachof the control units 30 and 25 quits the interfacing program (S210).

After then, the interfacing program and the device driver installed onthe counter terminal 200 are uninstalled (S220).

The step 220 (S220) is conducted by the uninstall program which isautomatically run at the same time with detecting disconnection.

Likewise, the interfacing program and the device driver installed on theterminal 100 may be also uninstalled. But if the counter terminal 200also has the networking module 20, the interfacing program and thedevice driver installed on the counter terminal 200 may not beuninstalled.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, a method for receiving and transmittingdata according to another embodiment of the present invention provides away how the terminal 100 is connected to Internet through the Internetmodule 65 of the counter terminal 200, in a case where the terminal 100can't be connected to Internet, but the counter terminal can.

The method stats with connecting the terminal 100 and the counterterminal 200 through the data cable 300 (S300).

In the step 300 (S300), if connection between the terminal 100 and thecounter terminal 200, the networking module is activated (S310).

The connection between the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 maybe detected in various ways, for example as described above, bydetecting power supply from the data cable 300.

The activation of the networking module 20 means that the networkingmodule 20 starts to be supplied with driving power, in a state wherebeing supplied only with standby power or where being off.

After the networking module 20 is activated in the step 310 (S310), thecontroller 20 a installs the interfacing program and the device driverstored in the storage unit 20 b on the terminal 100 and the counterterminal 200 (S320). Here, if the interfacing program and the devicedriver are already installed, the step 320 (S320) may be skipped.

The controller 20 a of the networking module may set Internet sharingenvironment of the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 (S330).

In the operating system based on Window of Microsoft, Internet sharingis supported. The controller 20 a intermediates communication betweenthe control unit 30 of the terminal 100 and the control unit 25 of thecounter terminal 200 by the installed device driver, and permits each ofthe control unit 30 or 25 to change Internet sharing environment of theterminal 100 and the counter terminal 200.

A program for changing the Internet sharing environment may be includedin the interfacing program or be stored as separate program in thestorage unit 20 b.

In the counter terminal 200, the step 330 (S330) is conducted by settingthe Internet protocol address of the counter terminal 200, a sub-networkmask value and a domain name server address.

Likewise, in the terminal 100, the step 330 is conducted by setting theInternet protocol address of the terminal 100, a sub-network mask valueand a gateway address.

Here, the Internet protocol address, the sub-network mask value and thegateway address are set to predetermined values.

The Internet protocol address set on the counter terminal 200 and theInternet protocol address set on the terminal 100 are determined to berelated to each other. The sub-network mask values set on the terminal100 and the counter terminal 200 are determined as the same value. Thegateway address set on the terminal 100 is predetermined as the Internetprotocol address of the counter terminal 200.

Meanwhile, the domain name server address may be predetermined asdescribed above, or be changed and reset by users. Here a user interfacemay be provided to permit users to change or reset the domain nameserver address.

If the Internet sharing environments are set on each of the terminal 100and the counter terminal 200 in the step 300 (S330), the terminal 100may be connected to Internet through the Internet module 65 of thecounter terminal 200. Accordingly, Internet service can be provided forusers of the terminal 100.

In the meantime, if the terminal 100 and the counter terminal 200 aredisconnected from each other (S350), each of the control units 30 and 25of the terminals 100 and 200 may reset the Internet sharing environment(S360).

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed above but is defined by the appended claims. It will beapparent that those skilled in the art can make various modificationsand changes thereto within the scope of the invention defined by theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for receiving data, comprising:receiving, via a communication unit of a terminal, at least one ofdisplayable data and soundable data from an external device, wherein theexternal device includes at least one of a touch-sensitive unit, a firstdisplaying unit and a first speaker, wherein the communication unitconnects to the Internet and includes at least one of a cabledcommunication unit and a wireless communication unit, and wherein thedisplayable data is displayed on the first displaying unit of theexternal device, and the soundable data is outputted through the firstspeaker of the external device; outputting signals associated with thereceived at least one of displayable data and soundable data to aconnectable output unit, wherein the connectable output unit includes atleast one of a second speaker and a second displaying unit; andoutputting a signal other than the signals to the connectable outputunit if the at least one of displayable data and soundable data is notreceived from the external device.